Master of Science (M.S.) in Accountancy
Benedictine is not planning to offer courses or recruit students to this program in the 2021-2022 academic year.
College: Daniel L. Goodwin College of Business
Department: Business
Student Type: Graduate Semester
Degree: Master of Science (M.S.)
Campus: Lisle Campus
Introduction
Accounting information is becoming more critical in all levels of organizations and if your management responsibilities have led you to accounting, the M.S. in Accountancy degree is vital in providing your career with a distinct set of skills that will differentiate your talents from those of your peers. This program is structured for individuals who have a business-related undergraduate degree but little previous study or experience in accounting. The program provides an integrated sequence of courses at the graduate level that emphasize topics relevant to the work of a professional accountant, and the background necessary to prepare candidates who wish to take the United States Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination, the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) examination and the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) examination.
Learning Goal for the Master of Science (M.S.) in Accountancy
Upon completion of the M.S. in Accountancy program, students should possess critical and creative thinking skills to solve problems, identify opportunities and make reliable decisions in both a domestic and global business environment using the business concepts embodied in the disciplines of financial and managerial accounting, tax management, auditing, leadership, business ethics.
Overview
The M.S. in Accountancy program focuses on broad-based accounting knowledge and provides students with the professional skills and competencies necessary to be a successful accountant in today’s complex business environment. Courses in other business disciplines (economics, leadership) are integrated into the program to complement a professional accounting career. Students are taught by acknowledged experts in the field of accounting. The course materials will develop a cohesive understanding of the major technical, conceptual and practical issues in accounting while gaining an appreciation for the ethical and legal considerations of the accounting profession and of the professional judgment and independent attitude necessary to deal objectively with these considerations.
M.S. in Accountancy Program
Benedictine University’s M.S. in Accountancy program is designed for working adults who have a business-related undergraduate degree but limited coursework or experience in accounting. The program’s classes are ideal for those who seek flexibility in their course schedules and plan to register as either a full- or part-time student.
4+1 M.S. in Accountancy Program
Well-qualified Benedictine University students who complete a B.B.A. or B.S. undergraduate degree may be eligible to complete the M.S. in Accountancy program with one additional year (three additional semesters) of full-time graduate study (9 semester credit hours per semester). Students in other majors are encouraged to discuss curricular options with the program director. The full-time 4+1 Program is developed specifically for recent college graduates. Admission to the program is not automatic and an application must be completed during the student's senior year of undergraduate coursework.
Student Type: Graduate Quarter
Campus: Lisle Campus
Students may not enter the M.S. in Accountancy program on quarters after the Spring 2021 term. Where possible, existing quarter M.S. in Accountancy students were converted to semester M.S. in Accountancy students as of Summer 2021.
Existing students should refer to original catalog of entry for appropriate academic requirements. College of Business academic advisors can clarify appropriate quarter to semester course requirements. Quarter credits convert at a 3 quarter credits to 2 semester credits ratio. Required courses and earned credits will be applied at the 3:2 ratio. Partial credits are not rounded up.
Admission Requirements
Application for graduate admission:
- $40 non-refundable application fee
- Official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended. Official electronic transcripts can be emailed to e-transcripts@ben.edu
- Official copy of GRE or GMAT test scores or completed test waiver form
- Two letters of reference from individuals familiar with the applicant’s professional or academic work, excluding family or personal friends
- A one- to two-page essay addressing educational and career goals
- Current résumé listing chronological work history
- Personal interview may be required prior to an admission decision
- Students who have completed any foreign postsecondary education (college, university, etc.) are required to submit an official credit evaluation. Students may submit a detailed evaluation from Educational Perspectives at perspectives.org/Benedictine or a course-by-course evaluation from Education Credential Evaluators (ECE) at ece.org. Official reports must be mailed directly to Benedictine from Educational Perspectives or ECE or submitted electronically directly to Benedictine from Educational Perspectives or ECE. Please contact the Enrollment Center for more information.
Applicants having a cumulative GPA of 3.200 or better may be waived from the GMAT requirement. Applicants wishing to apply for a GMAT waiver, but who do not have a GPA of 3.200 or better, may be considered pending successful completion of a specified quantitative and qualitative course. Applicants who have not completed college algebra within the past five years may be required to demonstrate math proficiency or participate in a math refresher course.
Semester Curriculum
The M.S. in Accountancy program requires 39 semester credit hours of graduate coursework. A minimum of 24 semester credit hours of graduate coursework must be completed at Benedictine University. The program consists of six major components:
- Accounting Competency: two courses that measure the core accounting knowledge base for the students and strengthens their weak areas.
- Managerial Competency: two courses focused on management skills and knowledge necessary for those students seeking managerial positions in accounting.
- Attestation and Auditing Competency: two courses focused on U.S. accounting standards, auditing trends, and cyber security issues.
- Advanced Accounting Topics: three courses focused on in-depth concepts, theories, and issues in accounting.
- Reporting and Analysis of Financial Statements: two courses will focus students on the exploration of the current trends in financial statement analysis while, utilizing tools to improve organizational performance.
- Global Accounting Trends: two courses will examine the key aspects of globalization of accounting and the application of forensic accounting to complex organizational problem areas.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Competency | ||
| ACCT 6101 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 6301 | Corporate Accounting Theory and Practice I | 3 |
| Managerial Competency | ||
| MNGT 6401 | Leadership and Ethics in a Global Environment | 3 |
| ACCT 6301 | Corporate Accounting Theory and Practice I | 3 |
| Advanced Accounting Topics | ||
| ACCT 6302 | Corporate Accounting Theory and Practice II | 3 |
| ACCT 6303 | Advanced Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 6401 | Tax Influences on Decision Making | 3 |
| Attestation and Auditing | ||
| ACCT 6501 | Cybersecurity and Internal Auditing | 3 |
| ACCT 6601 | Auditing Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Reporting and Analysis of Financial Statements | ||
| ACCT 6102 | Theory and Practice of Financial Reporting | 3 |
| ACCT 6103 | Cost Analysis, Profit Planning, and Control | 3 |
| Global Accounting Trends | ||
| ACCT 6701 | Forensic Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 6801 | The Globalization of Accounting | 3 |
Quarter Curriculum
The M.S. in Accountancy program requires 64 quarter credit hours of graduate coursework. A minimum of 32 quarter credit hours of graduate coursework must be completed at Benedictine University. The program consists of four major components:
- Managerial Process: four courses focused on management skills and knowledge necessary for those students seeking managerial positions in accounting
- Core (Foundation) Accounting Competency: five courses focused on U.S. accounting standards
- Advanced Accounting Topics: four courses focused on in-depth concepts, theories and issues in accounting
- Electives: students are required to choose three elective courses suited to their personal or professional interests
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Managerial Competency | ||
| MBA 5510 | Economics | 4 |
| MBA 6520 | Leadership & Business Ethics in the Global Environment | 4 |
| MGMT 6530 | Organizational Behavior | 4 |
| MSA 6611 | Managerial Economics | 4 |
| Core/Foundation Accounting Competency | ||
| MSA 5504 | Corporate Accounting Theory and Practice I | 4 |
| MSA 5513 | Auditing Theory and Practice | 4 |
| MSA 5515 | Advanced Accounting | 4 |
| MSA 6500 | Financial Accounting | 4 |
| MSA 6601 | Managerial Accounting | 4 |
| Advanced Accounting Topics | ||
| MSA 5506 | Corporate Accounting Theory and Practice II | 4 |
| MSA 6603 | Cost Analysis, Profit Planning and Control | 4 |
| MSA 6604 | Theory and Practice of Financial Reporting | 4 |
| MST 6605 | Tax Influences on Decision Making | 4 |
| Total Hours | 52 | |
Twelve quarter credit hours of electives are required for completion of the degree. Electives may be chosen from the subject areas of MBA, MSA, MIS, MST, MSF, and MGMT based on student’s needs. Students planning to sit for the CPA exam may need to take MBA 6626 Strategic Business Communications as an elective to meet the business communication requirement.
The M.S. in Accountancy program may accept up to 32 quarter credit hours in transfer credit toward the master’s degree for graduate coursework completed at another institution.
Concentrations
Forensic Accounting
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | 12 | |
| Forensic Accounting | ||
| Fraud Examination | ||
| Fraud and the Legal Environment | ||
| Computer Fraud | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Auditing
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | 12 | |
| Auditing and Assurance I | ||
| Auditing and Assurance II | ||
| Information System Auditing | ||
| Internal Auditing | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Taxation
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MST 6623 | Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders | 4 |
| MST 6624 | Federal Tax Research 1 | 4 |
| MST 6625 | Federal Taxation of Partnerships | 4 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
For those students planning to sit for the CPA exam, MST 6624 Federal Tax Research will count toward the research requirement.
Policies
The M.S. in Accountancy curriculum includes 13 courses totaling 39 semester credit hours. Course substitutions and waivers for may be determined by the M.S. in Accountancy program director on a case-by-case basis. Students with a relevant graduate degree or a professional or industry certificate/licensure (e.g. Certified Public Accountant, Project Management Professional, etc.) may be eligible for a course substitution/waiver.
The M.S. in Accountancy program requires basic skills in computer software programs (such as knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint) and spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel) development. Most classes require significant written and verbal presentations. Completion of case analyses by teams is frequently required to enhance your skills in team effectiveness and professional presentations. Ability to work collaboratively in teams is required.
Students in the MS Accountancy program will achieve the following student learning outcomes (SLO):
Student Learning Outcome 1: Demonstrate mastery over key business functional areas.
• University SLO: 1. Disciplinary Competence and Skills
Student Learning Outcome 2: Identify and solve business problems in organizations.
• University SLO: 4. Information Fluency
Student Learning Outcome 3: : Form a sense of social intelligence and ethics to lead individuals, teams, and organizations to achieve goals and create a sustainable competitive advantage.
• University SLO: 7. Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility
Student Learning Outcome 4: Integrate quantitative and qualitative analyses to recommend ethnical business decisions that support financial and strategic goals.
• University SLO: 5. Analytical Skills
Student Learning Outcome 5: Apply knowledge about the differences among global economies, institutions, and cultures to understand the implications these have on global management.
• University SLO: 6. Global Awareness and Cultural Competence